Assam: Siraj calls Air India Express ‘worst experience’ after being stranded in Guwahati
Guwahati: Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj faced a frustrating situation at Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Wednesday after his Air India Express flight (IX 2884) to Hyderabad was delayed by almost four hours.
Siraj, who was heading home after India’s heavy defeat to South Africa in the second Test, shared his anger on social media over how the airline handled the delay.
He said the airline did not give any clear information about the reason for the holdup.
The flight was scheduled to depart at 7:25 pm, but passengers were left waiting with no proper updates.
Siraj criticised the repeated delays and the lack of explanation, calling it his worst airline experience.
He also warned travellers not to choose the airline if it cannot take responsibility for such situations.
“Air India flight No. IX 2884 from Guwahati to Hyderabad was supposed to depart at 7:25pm, yet there has been no communication from the airline. Even after repeated follow-ups, they’ve only delayed the flight without giving any proper reason. It’s extremely frustrating, and this is the basic expectation of any passenger. A four-hour delay with no update has left us stranded. Worst airline experience. I wouldn’t recommend anyone to take this flight if the airline cannot take responsibility,”Siraj wrote on X.
His airport ordeal came soon after India’s 408-run defeat to South Africa in the second Test, which was India’s biggest loss by runs in Test cricket and South Africa’s largest win against India.
Siraj took two wickets for 105 runs in the first innings and bowled only five overs without success in the second.
The result gave South Africa a 2–0 clean sweep and their first Test series win in India in 25 years, increasing concerns about India’s recent dip in form after last year’s 3–0 loss to New Zealand.
South Africa took control from the start as Senuran Muthusamy scored his first Test century with 109, Marco Jansen hit 93 and took 6 for 48, and Simon Harmer finished the game with 6 for 37.
India collapsed for only 140 while chasing 549. India coach Gautam Gambhir accepted shared responsibility for the defeat, while captain Rishabh Pant admitted the team failed to take advantage of important moments in the series.